Question for LLs

outofmoney

We have been on the hunt for property for a while now. Preferably private but also been looking at LA.

The last house we looked at was really nice, but not such a great area, and rent just a tad high.

We decided to check our credit scores to see where we stand.

Mine came out as 960 something, regarded as excellent. I make all payments on time and can show I pay off any debts.

Hubbys came back very low and was not good. The reason for this is he got himself in a mess when he lost his job. Rather than try to sort it (or tell me) he took out credit cards to pay others. That was about 8 years ago. We have it all in hand now. Some are now paid off and others he pays an agreed amount regularly. But this still shows on his credit that he doesn't pay the full amount.

We get HB and always pay our rent, including the top up. I would hope our current LL would confirm this.

So, my question is... Would you consider us to be a high risk? Would you ask for the reasons for bad credit? Or would you simply see one half as a major risk and say No automatically?

Grateful for all replies.

G_M

outofmoney wrote: »

We get HB and always pay our rent, including the top up. I would hope our current LL would confirm this.

So, my question is... Would you consider us to be a high risk? Would you ask for the reasons for bad credit? Or would you simply see one half as a major risk and say No automatically?

Grateful for all replies.

Sorry - yes.

HB.

Poor credit.

Ongoing debts being paid off.

I would discuss but would be highly sceptical.

How long were you at current address? How far away?

ie can I easily confirm the previous LL is genuine and you were his tenants for an extended period of time.

outofmoney

If we can move it will be locally. We have been at this property for 8 years and our previous for 9.

Thanks for your honest reply.

[Deleted User]

I am afraid, as a similiar HB recipient you are going to find most if not all Letting Agencies won't even let you in the door without a guarantor. In spite of being able to prove that you can pay rent regularly.

Then there's the credit check problem.

I tend to look on Gumtree for properties but you have to be careful with landlords who advertise on therr. Some of them u need to avoid.

Sorry to be so negative.

outofmoney

We could possibly have a guarantor as long as they didn't need to earn a fortune.

Annisele

I'd want to know why you were moving (I don't mean you should post on here, just that I'd want to know if I was a prospective landlord).

No matter how glowing a reference your current landlord gives you, I'd be worried he just wanted you out because you don't pay the rent. Giving a glowing reference makes problem tenants somebody else's problem.

If you're moving to a larger/smaller property, for some sensible-sounding reason, I wouldn't be so worried. But same type of house, same area, and current landlord looking for new tenants would both me.

outofmoney

It would be because we need a larger property. Seems a good question really.

Our current LL is fine, no problems at all, though can be lapse at getting work done. If we didn't need an extra bedroom we would happily stay put. Though unless someone takes pity on us we probably will have to anyway.